Portable bottle vendor



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 aw, .l

Filed Oct. 25, 1940 'J. E. HAGSTRCM- EIAL PORTABLE BOTTLE VENDOR April 1943- J. E. HAGSTROM ET AL 2,317,145

PORTABLE BOTTLE VENDOR Filed Oct. 25, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z Ly. 5:

- w INVENTORS. 54 7 fi/df ii gafier /g a ATTORNEY.

April 1943. J. E. HAGSTROM ETAL 2,317,145

- PORTABLE BOTTLE VENDOR Filed Oct. 25, 1940 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 j 'INVENTORS.

Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PORTABLE BOTTLE VENDOR Joseph E. Hagstrom and Olaf 0. Olsen, Kansas City, Mo., assignors to 0. Earl Hovey, trustee,

Kansas City, Mo.

13 Claims.

This invention relates to vending machines of the portable type wherein a relatively few packages may be kept for cooling and from which said packages may be removed, one at a time, and one of the salient objects is the provision of a comparatively small bottle vendor having therein unique means for maintaining the temperature within the case thereof, at a predetermined point.

Another object of this invention is to provide a portable bottle vendor having unique means for imparting step-by-step movement to a dispensing plate, which movement is preferably controlled. through coin actuated means associated with a novel locking element, the nature of which serves to releasably hold the aforesaid dispensing plate in one of a number of positions where the opening thereof is in alignment with one of the underlying packages or bottles, as the case may be.

This invention has for a yet further aim, the provision of simple, unique, durable and novel coin controlled means mounted directly upon the revolvable dispensing plate of the portable vendor and directly associated with a manually movable slide, the path of travel of which is determined by the presence of a coin in the said means, and by inclined faces on a part of the case of the vendor, the position of which is such as to cause movement of the slide as the aforesaid revolvable plate is rotated on its axis.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a portable bottle vendor, the nature of which permits producing a large number thereof, each capable of cooling and holding for delivery a relatively small number of bottles, whereby small ofiices or the like may be serviced without an investment such as required by conventional vending machines now in general use.

Other objects of the invention including important specific details of construction, manner of making a portable cooler in accordance with the instant invention, and mode of operating the same, will appear during the course of the following specification, referring to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary top plan view of a portable bottle vendor made to embody the present invention.

' Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional view through the same, taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of the hinged cover forming a part of the vendor.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view through a portion of the cover taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line VV of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line VII-VII of Fi 4.

Fig. 8 is a detailed fragmentary sectional view taken on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 3.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a cooling medium container.

Fig. 10 is a similar view illustrating a container made to embody a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view of a cooling medium container usable in the vendorand embodying a still further modification of the invention.

Case l2 of the portable vendor should be made relatively small to contain bottles or other packages arranged in a circumscribing path below a delivery opening to be hereinafter described.

Bottles M are positioned in stalls I6 of bottle rack l8 and this rack may be bodily lifted from within case l2 by grasping one or more handles 20. Floor 22 of bottle rack 18 has a well 24 at the center thereof for the reception of cooling medium container, such as illustrated in Figs. 9, l0 and 11.

The size of the vendor necessitates using an effective cooling medium and it has been found that dry ice 26, a quantity of which is shown in container 28 in Fig. 2, is satisfactory where the said container is built to allow dry ice 26 to slowly sublimate and maintain an even temperature not lower than that which will maintain the bottles and their contents at from 36 to 44 F.

Container 28 is removable and the base 30 thereof is formed of non-conducting material suchas wood that fits into well 24 and supports sheet metal double annular walls 32 between which is packed insulating substance 34.

Container 28 has an open upper end and the cool air spills over the edge of the container 23 at the top thereof. An even and desirable transfer of heat is established throughout the entire length of container 28 however, because sheet .tles I4.

bottles I4 are normally in the case before being withdrawn, and the amount of dry ice 26, will have a direct bearing upon the type of metal employed to produce walls 32, but copper has been found preferable where I2 bottles are to be vended from a case I2 having the proportions illustrated in the drawings.

Another form of container (Fig. is generally designated by the numeral 36 and comprises a base 38 of wood or other insulating material, from one side of which extends inner and outer wall 46 and 42 between which insulating'material 44 is packed. wardly, outwardly and thence downwardly along the outer surface of outer wall 42 to present an uninterrupted sheet metal member that is highly conductive and which insures heatoexchangeba tween the air surrounding bottles I4 and dry ice 26 within container 36. The length ofthe downwardly projecting portion of wall 46 designated by the numeral 46, may be varied tosuit conditions, for the longer this portion-461is madethe greater the heat exchange will be.

Inner Wall 46 projects up- Fig. 11 illustrates the manner of constructing another type of container usable in well 24 and is broadly designated by the numeral 48. This container 46 has a base 56 formed ofwood or insulating material, and supporting spaced. apart sheet metal walls 52 and 54, between which insulating material 56 is packed. In this instance. inner wall 52 extends across the bottom of the container to form a floor .58 immediatelyabove base 56.

A top 66 is removably secured to this container 4.8-through the medium of bayonet slot structure 62cand gasket 64 positively seals the container.

Ducts 66 extending upwardlyandoutwardly through walls 52 and 54 permit the escape of gas from within container as the dry ice therein sublimates. These ducts 6.6 are relatively small .in cross sectional area, and therefore, create a pressure that forces gas outwardly and intothe chamber formed within case I2, which holds bot- Such arrangement of parts will insure against Stratification and-air currents are setup to preclude the formation .of voids or static air pockets.

Either of the three forms of container shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, is usable in case I 2 and will adequately cool all bottles I4 therein. Case I2 is formed of thick walls of. insulating material and the cover 68 thereof has an opening of appreciable size therein that is closed by rotatable plate I6. Cover ,68 is hingedlymounted on case I2 as at 12 anda lock I4 is used to hold cover an 68 in place against movement by unauthorized persons. I

Rotatable plate 16 is disc-shaped and the annular edge thereof is formed with radially extend ing sectional flanges I6 and I8, oneof which precludes upward or outward movement of plate "I6, while the other rests. upon annular notched rack 86 to prevent inward or downward movement thereof. This rack 86 iscarriedby hinged cover 68 and has a number of spaced apart notches 62 to receive dog 84 mounted. on housing 86 secured directly to plate 16.

Plate "I6 has a delivery opening 88 closed by door 66 that is yieldably heldin the closed .position by spring 92 wound about hinge pin .94 journalled in ears 66 integral with plate '16. A. knob 68 on door 66 affords convenient. grip for the operator. 7

Cover 68 has a track I66 mounted thereon immediately below rack 86. This track has a series of notches I62 formed therein adjacent to each of which is an inturned radially projecting ear I64 having an inclined face I66 and an arcuate face I68. It is notable that both rack 86 and track I 66 are stationary with respect to plate 16 and that as said plate is rotated about its axis dog 84 will drop into notches 82 to allow movement in but one direction.

The numeral II6 designates a slide of special form having a tongue II2 extending radially from one end thereof. A roller I I4 on tongue II2 engages track I66 and rides along inclined surface I66 and edge I63 as will be more fully hereinafter described.

Slide H6 is movably mounted in housing 86 andthe inner end is rebent upon itself to present a wall II6 having an opening II 8 therethrough, and a flange I26 in spaced relation to the major part of the slide.

A notched Wall I22 secured to end wall II6 of slide III! cooperates with said wall II6 ln presenting a coin receiving pocket I24. A pin I26 on plate I6 is engaged by one end of spring I28, the other end of which is fastened to slide 6 to yieldably maintain the same at one end of its path of travel where tongue II 2 i rinone of notches I62, when delivery opening 88 is above one of stalls I6. A shelf I36 on housing 86 supports the weight of a coin I32 when on is in pocket I24. A coin'box I34 removably held in place by a latch I36 receives coins I32 when the same are forced from position on shelf I36.

An operating handle of lever type I38 is carried by plate I6. A vertical shaft I46 extends through plate 16 and is journalled in, the boss I42 thereon. This shaft I46 is shouldered and a nut I44 maintains one end of a link I46 in place thereon to be moved therewith. This link may be keyed to shaft I46 as shown in Fig. '1.

While one end of link I46is keyed to shaft I46 the other end thereof is pivotallyjoined-as at I 48 to one end of link I56 yieldably held at one end ofits path of travel by a spring I52. Slot I54 of link I56 receivesscrew I56 mounted, to project downwardly from flange I26.

Link I56 is in alignment with opening H8 and notch I58 of wall I22 so as to strike coin I32 during the normal movement of handle I38. Nut 7 144 is in the path of travel of link I56 as it moves laterally due to the swinging of link I46 and limits such movement, as will be hereinafter de scribed.

Coin I32 is introduced through coin slots I66 in plate I6 and when the coin is so inserted, to be in the position shown in Fig. 4, the operation of the apparatus is as follows:

Assuming that the parts of the vendor are in the position in the drawings, a coin I32 is dropped through slot I66 into compartment I24 Where it rests upon shelf I36. Upon rotating lever I38 about its own axis, links I46 and I56 will be moved to bring the free end of the'latter against coin I32, whereupon force will be imparted to slide H6 to move the same to the intermediate position shown in dotted linesof Fig. 4.

Obviously, if no coin is present, such movement cannot occur and the end of link I56 willfreely enter notch I58 of wall I22.

The movement of slide H6 to the said dotted position withdraws tongue II2 from one of notches I62 in track I66. Immediately upon clearing the notch further. .movement of lever I 68 is precluded because. the right hand end of slot I56 (Fig. '7), strikes screw I56 to arrest the said movement. The operator however, will con- 2,317,145 tinue applying force to lever I38 to bodily move plate I in the Fig. 1.

Roller I I4 on slide II 0 will thereupon engage part of the camface of track I00, which has previously been defined as the inclined face I06. As the roller so moves over this face I06, slide IIO will be forced to the left (Fig. 4), to the position shown in the second dotted line position. Pin I56 being in slot I54 will not restrict the movement of slide H0 and such travel on the part of the slide will carry coin I32 off of shelf I30 and allow it to drop into coin box I34.

Roller H4 will move along the innermost arcuate face I08 until it reaches shoulder I62, whereupon it will be drawn back against track I00 by spring I28. The roller will ride along the track until the next notch I02 is encountered, whereupon both tongue and roller H2 and H4 respectively, will enter and arrest further movement of plate I0. When the operator releases lever I38, spring I52 will move both links I46 and I50 back to the point of beginning.

To prevent reversal of movement on the part of plate I0, dog 84 when in any position around annula track 80, other than that shown in Fig. 3, will drop into one of notches 82 immediately after tongue II2 has been drawn from a notch I02 and therefore, if the operator attempts to reverse the movement of plate from normal while roller H4 is riding over surface I06 and I08 of the cam face of track I00, dog 84 will prevent such undesirable action. When roller II4 jumps behind shoulder I62, plate I0 is further secured against movement in a direction opposite to that intended. Notches I02 are spaced apart a distance where opening 88 will be in alignment with a stall I6 in rack I8 whenever tongue I I2 and roller II4 are in a notch I02.

After a complete movement around the circumscribing path of stalls I6, tongue I I2 will strike stop I64. This stop extends inwardly so far that even with a coin dropped into place, as shown in Fig. 4, operation of the plate I0 cannot occur. The owner of the equipment may then unfasten lock 14, move cover 68 to the open position and then reset the parts to be as shown in Fig, 3. When the parts are in this set position, dog 84 is in one of notches 82 in track 80 so that when a coin is inserted, plate 10 cannot be accidentally rotated to a point where the tongue H2 is again behind stop I64.

Notch I58 in wall I22 is formed as shown in Fig. 5 and has wings I65 to engage the upper marginal edge of coin I32 if it is of the proper denomination and size. If a coin or slug of smaller size is inserted, it will fall from shelf I into the coin box without allowing slide H0 to be withdrawn from its locked position.

The simple mechanism is located on the underside plate 10 near the periphery thereof and bottles I4 are arranged in a path which is square direction of the arrows shown in 'to allow a relatively large number to be stored in a small case.

The temperature of these bottles may be con trolled by the use of containers such as shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive, and as has been hereinabove set down, these containers are unique in that the heat exchange produced may be determined and altered, and further, circulation of air within case I2 may be set up.

Portable, inexpensive vendors of the type described and illustrated are now desirable for small organizations may be. serviced economically by providing acontainer for each depart- 'ment or group of employees.

The container serves as a case for a few bottles and because of its inexpensive nature, there may be a large number of cases within which to distribute bottled goods without a prohibitive investment.

There is no need for coin detecting mechanism of complicated character in'equipment of the type contemplated by this invention, for the portable vendor is not usually placed in public locations.

Certain advantages arising from the invention have been made clear but it will become obvious to one skilled in the art that a vast number of valuable benefits not discussed herein, are available to one enjoying the concepts hereby dis-- closed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; an operating lever on the plate; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls ar ranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; and coin controlled means for withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches.

2. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; an. operating lever on the plate; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; and coin controlled means for Withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches, said track having inclined faces thereon adjacent to the notches for engaging said slide to further move the same as the plate is manually rotatedafter its said portion has been withdrawn from one of the notches.

3. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having aportion thereof movabl to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; a pivoted operating lever on the rotatable plate to one side of the axis of rotation thereof; parts connecting the operating lever with the slide for withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches and provided with a delivery opening; are-ck for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; a pivoted operating lever on the rotatable plate to one side of the axis of rotation thereof; parts connecting the operating lever with the slide for withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches when the lever is moved about its pivotal connection from a normal position; and elements on the track for further moving the slide after the plate is released and caused to move about its axis by force exerted on the lever, said lever having a stop for limiting its movement about its pivotal connection in one direction when the slide has reached a position where the said portion is free from the notches of the track.

5. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; a pivoted operating lever on the rotatable plate to one side of the axis of rotation thereof; parts connecting the operating lever with the slide for withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches when the lever is moved about its pivotal connection from a normal position; elements on the track for further moving the slide after the plate is released and caused to move about its axis by force exerted on the lever, said lever having a stop for limiting its movement about its pivotal connection in one direction when the slide has reached a position where the said portion is free from the notches of the track; and a spring for returning the lever to its nori a1 position.

6. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery pening; a. rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; a pivoted operating lever on the rotatable plate to one side of the axis of rotation thereof; parts connecting the operating lever with the slide for withdrawing said portion of the slide from within the notches when the lever is moved about its pivotal connection from a normal position; elements on the track for further moving the slide after the plate is released and caused to move about its axis by force exerted on the lever, said lever having a stop for limiting its movement about its pivotal connection in one direction when the slide has reached a position where the said portion is free from the notches of the track; and yieldabie means for urging the slide toward the notches and into operative relation with the said elements on the track.

i. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having "an opening in the top thereof; a'rotatable plate clos'ing'said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a notched track on the case around the rotatable plate; a slide mounted on the plate having a portion thereof movable to and from a position projecting into the respective notches to prevent rotation of the plate; a roller on the slide; inclined faces on the track in the path of travel of the roller on the slide to further move the same as the plate is moved about its axis after the said portion of the slide has been withdrawn from one of the notches; and means for returning the slide to its normal position.

8. In a. vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in spaced relation in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a pair of notched tracks rigid with the case extending around the rotatable plate; a dog mounted for rotation with the rotatable plate for engagement with the notches of one-of the tracks, said notches in one plate being formed to allow rotation of the plate in one direction and to preclude rotation in the opposite direction; a slide mounted on the plate near the periphery thereof for movement to and from a position into the notches of the other track; a shoulder and a cam face on the 'iast mentioned track adjacent to each notch thereof respectively; and coin controlled means for withdrawing said slide from within the notches and drawing the same across the adjacent cam after such withdrawal and while the plate-is being rotated, said notches of the tracks being closer together than the distance between the notch engaging portion of the slide and. said dog, whereby to cause the slide to lock the plate against movement in either direction with the delivery opening thereof over a stall in the rack, when the dog is in a. position other than within the notch.

9. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opehing and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in spaced relation in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening;

a pair of notched tracks rigid with the case EX- tending around the rotatable plate; a dog mounted for rotation with the rotatable plate for enagement with the notches of one of the tracks, said notches in the one plate being formed to allow rotation of the plate in one direction and to preclude rotation in the opposite direction; a slide mounted on the plate near the periphery thereof for movement to and from a position'into the notches of the other track; a shoulder and a cam face on the last mentioned track adjacent to each notch thereof respectively; and coin controlled means for withdrawing said slide from within the notches and drawing the same across the adjacent cam after being withdrawn and while the plate is being rotated, said notches of the tracks being closer together than the distance between the notch'engaging portion of the slide and said dog, whereby to cause the slide to lock the plate against'movement in either direction with the delivery opening thereof oven-a stall in the rack when the dog is in a position other than within the notch, said dog being movable into the notches of the said one track to preclude movement of the plate in one direction as the slide is moving across the cam face during movement of the plate in the other direction.

10. In a vending machine of the character described a closed case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a rack for packages being vended comprising a plurality of stalls arranged in spaced relation in a circumscribing path below the delivery opening; a pair of notched tracks rigid with the case extending around the rotatable plate; a dog mounted for rotation with the rotatable plate for engagement with the notches of one of the tracks, said notches in the one plate being formed to allow rotation of the plate in one direction and to preclude rotation in the opposite direction; a slide mounted on the plate near the periphery thereof for movement to and from a position into the notches of the other track; a shoulder and a cam face on the last mentioned track adjacent to each notch thereof respectively; and coin controlled means for withdrawing said slide from within the notches and drawing the same across the adjacent cam after being withdrawn and while the plate is being rotated, said notches of the tracks being closer together than the distance between the notch engaging portion of the slide and said dog, whereby to cause the slide to lock the plate against movement in either direction with the delivery opening thereof over a stall in the rack when the dog is in a position other than within the notch, said dog being movable into the notches of the said one track to preclude movement of the plate in one direction as the slide is moving across the cam face during movement of the plate in the other direction, said cam face having a radial shoulder engagable behind the slide to prevent movement of the plate in said last mentioned one direction after the dog has travelled past a notch of the said one track.

11. In a vending machine of the character described a case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a track on the case around the plate and having a series of notches, cam faces and shoulders on the track; a slide on the plate engaging one of the notches when in a normal position; and coin controlled means for withdrawing the slide from the notches, said slide being shiftable by engagement with one of the cam faces as the plate is rotated in one direction to render the coin controlled means inoperative before reaching the next notch.

12. In a vending machine of the character described a case having an opening in the top thereof; a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a track onthe case around the plate and having a series of notches, cam faces and shoulders on the track; a slide on the plate engaging one of the notches when in a normal position; and coin controlled means for withdrawing the slide from the notches, said slide being shiftable by engagement with one of the cam faces as the plate is rotated in one direction to render the coin controlled means inoperative before reaching the next notch, said slide having a yieldable element for maintaining the same against the cam faces and within the notches.

13. In a vending machine of the character described a case having an opening in the top thereof a rotatable plate closing said opening and provided with a delivery opening; a track on the case around the plate and having a series of notches, cam faces and shoulders thereon; a slide on the plate engaging one of the notches when in a normal position; and coin controlled means for withdrawing the slide from the notches, said slide being shiitable by engagement with one of the cam faces as the plate is rotated in one direction to render the coin controlled means inoperative before reaching the next notch, said slide having a spring to force the same behind said shoulder immediately after the coin controlled means has been rendered in opera- :tive toiprevent rotation of the plate in the opposite direction.

JOSEPH E. HAGSTROM. OLAF C. OLSEN. 

